Graduate Certificate in Communication at UMPI

Discover our 100% online certificate

Are you looking for the strategic communications skills that will prepare you for complex business contexts? The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s (UMPI) YourPace program offers a fully online Graduate Certificate in Communication tailored for working professionals like you.

This 18-credit, graduate-level certificate draws on courses from UMPI’s Master of Science in Business program and provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills to support diverse learners looking to enhance their leadership, decision-making, and ethical business practices. Through this flexible and affordable option, you can explore master’s-level courses and build specialized credentials without committing to a full master’s degree.

Designed with today’s learners in mind, this competency-based certificate allows you to progress at your own pace, making it ideal for those balancing work, life, and career advancement. Whether you’re aiming to complete your certification quickly or take it one course at a time, UMPI’s YourPace learning model supports your goals with a student-first approach.

As one of the most affordable options among top universities offering master’s certificates, this online certificate positions you for long-term impact in organizational settings and on your own schedule.

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2026 RFI Revision

YourPace is a flexible, competency-based degree program with 8-week sessions and a flat tuition rate for students who must be 20 years old at the time of application

On-campus students also have the flexibility to take a variety of online courses in many of our programs.

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What Is Competency-Based Education?

Designed to leverage your previous knowledge, college coursework, and work experience, competency-based education enables you to earn your degree at your pace as you demonstrate mastery of relevant academic content.

How our YourPace online programs save you time and money:

Prove your knowledge, move ahead—the faster you advance, the more you save
Flat tuition rate per 8-week session, no matter how many courses you complete
With no weekly deadlines, you control the speed of completion*

*Time to completion varies by student and is based on several factors including prior college coursework, relevant work experience, amount of time dedicated to studying, and the number of courses completed each session.

Upcoming Session Dates

The Dates YourPace Students need to know

There are six opportunities throughout the year to begin our YourPace online program. Find the start date below that works best for you and apply before the application deadline. Please note, application and document deadlines are the same. UMPI must receive all documents including official transcripts by the document deadline to be considered. Transcripts can often take 10 or more business days from the request date to be received by UMPI, please plan accordingly.

Term	APP DEADLINE (4:00 PM ET)	DOCUMENT DEADLINE	CONFIRMATION DEADLINE (4:00 PM ET)	REGISTRATION DEADLINE	TUITION DEADLINE	CLASS START DATE	CLASS END DATE	Term Length
Summer 1	04/13/26	04/21/26	04/28/26	05/05/26	05/07/26	05/11/26	07/02/26	8 weeks
Summer 2	06/08/26	06/16/26	06/23/26	06/30/26	07/02/26	07/06/26	08/28/26	8 weeks
Fall 1	08/03/26	08/11/26	08/18/26	08/25/26	08/27/26	08/31/26	10/23/26	8 weeks
Fall 2	09/28/26	10/06/26	10/13/26	10/20/26	10/22/26	10/26/26	12/18/26	8 weeks
Spring 1	12/14/26	12/22/26	12/29/26	01/05/27	01/07/27	01/11/27	03/05/27	8 weeks
Spring 2	02/08/27	02/16/27	02/23/27	03/02/27	03/04/27	03/08/27	04/30/27	8 weeks

YourPace Communication Graduate Certificate Offering

UMPI’s Graduate Certificate in Communication is designed for professionals seeking specialized knowledge and practical skills in Communication.

Explore Our Online Graduate Certificate in Communication

The Graduate Certificate in Communication at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) is a flexible, fully online offering designed for professionals seeking specialized knowledge and practical skills in Communication. Drawing on courses from UMPI’s Master of Science in Business program, the certificate provides targeted expertise, preparing graduates to meet industry demands while enhancing their leadership, decision-making, and ethical business practices.

Through this competency-based offering, you’ll gain graduate-level knowledge and practical strategies in communication. Tailored for professionals seeking to advance their strategic communication skills, this certificate emphasizes business communication, digital marketing, crisis communication, and cross-cultural communication to equip leaders for complex business contexts. Whether you’re preparing for a leadership role or exploring master’s-level courses, this certificate offers the flexibility and relevance you need to advance your career.

UMPI’s YourPace format lets you progress on your own schedule, making it an ideal choice for working professionals and those balancing career and family commitments. With 18 credits of coursework, the certificate equips you with actionable skills that can be immediately applied in the business world.

Graduates who earn this certificate will be able to:

Design strategic communication plans that align with organizational objectives and stakeholder priorities.
Apply digital marketing and media strategies to enhance stakeholder engagement and support organizational goals.
Analyze and evaluate crisis communication situations and cross-cultural communication dynamics to develop effective communication responses.
Communicate complex business information clearly, professionally, and persuasively to diverse audiences using appropriate communication channels.

YourPace Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

The YourPace Graduate Certificate in Communication offers an affordable flat tuition rate, ensuring you pay the same amount per session regardless of how many courses you complete. With no hidden fees or additional textbook costs, this flexible competency-based education certificate allows you to save more the faster you finish. Whether you’re looking to accelerate your degree or complete courses at your own pace, you’ll benefit from transparent pricing and a cost-effective learning experience through the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

Tuition breakdown:

$2,450 per session

Flat-Rate Tuition

Have questions or need more information about competency-based education?

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Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from UMPI?

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UMPI is ranked as one of the top 10 Regional Colleges in the North for graduates with least debt—UMPI is the top institution in Maine and all of New England to appear on this list. – U.S. News & World Report, 2024.

EXPECT to Finish at YourPace

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YourPace Admissions

Requirements for this Communication Graduate Certificate

We’ve made the admission process simple and streamlined so it’s easier for you to get started. Those interested in earning their competency-based education Graduate certificate in Communication should have an undergraduate degree and possess some prior college credit and/or work experience.

Admission Requirements:

No Application Fee

Minimum 3.0 GPA

We’ve streamlined the admission process so it’s easy for you to get started. Here is the information you need to apply:

Admission Requirements (Graduate)

The University requirement for admission to any master’s degree program is the demonstration of the completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or from a recognized foreign institution. Matriculation into the program will be granted upon receipt of their officially conferred degree. Once matriculated, students will be eligible to enroll in classes.
Applicants must submit an official transcript from the college or university from which their bachelor’s degree or equivalency was granted, excluding the University of Maine System (UMS) campuses. (UMS transcripts are accessible to UMPI.)
Official transcripts from any institution from which you have earned graduate credit are required for credit transfer evaluation. A maximum of six credits can be applied to graduate programs. Graduate-level credit may be evaluated provided the credits were earned from a regionally accredited U.S. university or a comparable international university.
Official transcripts must be sent by the institution directly to edocs@maine.edu or an institution-approved transcript service (Parchment and the National Student Clearing House).
Applicants whose GPAs are less than 3.0 are required to submit a personal statement. The personal statement (not to exceed 500 words) should reflect the applicant’s ability to write at the graduate level, with attention to appropriate grammar, spelling, form, and structure in preparing the statement. Applicants are asked to respond to the following:
- Explain how you will ensure your academic success in this graduate program and overcome challenges you may have experienced with your undergraduate program of studies.

International students are eligible to apply and enroll; however, an I-20 will NOT be provided as this is a fully online degree program. In addition to the standard admissions requirements, international students must also meet the additional requirements specific to international applicants.

Specific Requirements for International Students

Students from around the world are eligible and welcome to apply. Please note that additional requirements related to English Proficiency and international transcripts may be applicable. For full International Students YourPace Admissions requirements, please use the button below.

International Requirements

YourPace Communication Graduate Certificate Courses

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace Communication Certificate is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge needed for strategic communication in organizations.

Graduate Certificate in Communication Courses

A look at the Communication Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Communication at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) is a fully online, competency-based offering designed for professionals seeking to enhance their expertise and practical skills in communication.

UMPI’s Graduate Certificate in Communication is designed to accommodate individuals from various backgrounds, offering flexible learning options that allow you to complete your coursework at your own pace. The certificate prepares professionals to meet industry demands while enhancing their leadership, decision-making, and ethical business practices.

Whether you are looking to advance your career in communication or gain specialized skills, UMPI’s Graduate Certificate in Communication provides a pathway to achieve your goals.

Certificate Requirements – 18 Credit Hours

This course focuses on developing strategic communications skills, including message development, audience analysis, and communication planning.

This course explores the use of digital and social media for marketing and communication purposes, including social media strategies, content creation, and online brand management.

This course focuses on developing skills in crisis communication, including crisis response planning, message development, and reputation management.

This course explores the complexities of cross-cultural communication in the business context, including cultural awareness, diversity, and effective communication strategies in global settings.

This course focuses on developing effective internal communication strategies within organizations, including employee engagement, change communication, and internal branding.

This course explores the art of effective business presentations and public speaking, including presentation design, delivery techniques, and audience engagement.

View Course Catalog YourPace Course Search

NECHE

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

University of Maine System

UMPI is a respected member of the University of Maine System.

C-BEN

UMPI is proud to be a member institution in the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN).

What can you do with a SED Graduate Certification?

Next Step: Admissions

We’re so excited that you’re considering the University of Maine at Presque Isle! As a student at UMPI, we want your experience to be anything but ordinary! So what makes UMPI extraordinary? Our Learning Environment, Our Student Engagement and Our Location!

No matter what stage of life you are in, we can help you take the plunge into higher education and put you on YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS!

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Graduate Certificate in Communication at UMPI

Discover our 100% online certificate